Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay

13.5%
alc., $69.
·Light golden yellow color in the glass. Gorgeous and
intoxicating aromas of lemon, pineapple, yellow peach and
crushed chalk. Equally sensational on the palate with a perfect
marriage of luscious lemon cake, pineapple and pear flavors
with uplifting acidity. A hint of complimentary nutty, vanillin oak
adds to the appeal of this laser focused wine. The finish is incredibly long
and refreshingly racy. I was so taken by this wine, that I stopped tasting
other wines on this day and had a generous glass with lunch. A delicious,
edgy wine without rival. (BTW, I did not see the glowing reviews of this
wine by other notable wine critics before tasting this wine)Score:99.
Reviewed November 22, 2015WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2013 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., $79. Rhys selection plus heritage
clones from 11 acres located at an elevation of 1230 to 1400 feet.
·Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. Lovely aromas of dark red fruits, rose petal, and stem stream from the glass, becoming more expressive
the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. The light to mid weight array of red and purple
fruits accented with spice and herb notes is quite approachable. Bright, fresh and charming, with modest
tannins and a lively cut of acidity in the background.Score:91-92.
Reviewed December 12, 2015WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2012 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., $69. From an 11-acre vineyard planted to Rhys
selection and heritage clones. 12-24” topsoil over soft shale at
1230’ to 1400’ elevation.
·Moderately dark reddish purple color in
the glass. Very complex nose with scents of alpine strawberry,
raspberry, black cherry, conifer, sous-bois, spice and rose petal
dancing in and out over time. Softly textured, harmonious and
very approachable, with a tasty black cherry core framed by
modest tannins and juicy acidity. Still showing a blanket of oak
that will integrate over time. Finishes with impressive length and
generosity.Score:91-92.
Reviewed January 23, 2015WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

More aromatic with a slight
tropical fruit scent complimenting the lemon notes. Complex, with flavors of lemon meringue, pineapple, vanilla
cream and nuts. An hi-tone cut of acidity underlies the fruit and leads to a refreshing, dry finish. Very good.Reviewed April 13, 2013WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

0% whole cluster.
·Darker fruits
with exotic spices and camphor are featured on the nose. Not as showy as the Horseshoe, with more modest
fruit expression at this stage. Flavors of dark plum, Hoison, and blackberries with a smoky undertone. The
wine is sporting muscular tannins that need time to soften and integrate. Very dry, well-defined finish. Very
good.Reviewed April 13, 2013WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

13.2% alc., $69. From 1.73 acres planted to Hyde, Wente and Dijon
clones at 1,230 to 1,400 feet elevation. 24” of top soil over soft shale.
Grapes are slowly whole cluster pressed for 4 hours. The must is
settled overnight and barrels filled in morning. 20-25% new French oak
barrels are used. The wine is left undisturbed in cask without stirring to
complete native yeast fermentation that sometimes can take an entire
year.
·Golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Appealing aromas of lemon
peel, pineapple, slate and a hint of nutty, buttery oak. Delicious core of yellow
apple and lemon flavors with a hint of butter brickle and oak. The fruit really
pops in the mouth and hangs on for a very long and glorious finish. Juicy, crisp and thoroughly satisfying in
every way. Yum. Held up beautifully in an opened and re-corked bottle finished over two days. One of the best
California Chardonnays I have ever tasted.Score:96.
Reviewed September 29, 2013WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

13.4% alc., $69. From 3.51 acres
of tightly spaced vines planted on low vigor rootstock onto which are grafted a field mixture of heritage
selections of Chardonnay (Wente, Hyde, Mt. Eden). Soils are 18” - 24” rocky topsoil over Monterey
Shale. Gently whole cluster pressed for 4 hours. The must is settled overnight and in the morning
the barrels are filled by gravity. 20-25% new French oak barrels are used. The wine is left
undisturbed in barrel without stirring, completing a native yeast fermentation that can sometimes take
an entire year.
·Golden yellow color and clear in the glass. This is a subtle wine that reveals many
nuances over time if you are patient. There is a clear vein of “minerality” running through this wine
evident in the sea brine aromas and the vibrant underlying acidity. The flavors of apple, white peach, crème
brûlée, and a hint of butterscotch are inviting, and the silky texture of the wine is dreamy. There is some
finishing length as well, uncommon in many Chardonnays from California. With the modest alcohol and bright
acidity, this is an ideal food wine, but it is wonderful on its own. Should be even more interesting in a few years.
For connoisseur’s only.Score:95.
Reviewed January 20, 2014WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $69. The vineyard is 11 acres situated at 1230 to 1400 feet
elevation with a 20% to 40% slope. Soils are 20” to 24” topsoil over
soft shale. Clones are Rhys selection and five heritage clones planted
with 6’ x 4’ spacing.
·Oh My God! Orgasmic nose offering aromas of
dark stone and berry fruits with a hint of whole cluster floral notes
including violets. The aromas last and last in the glass. Flat-out
delicious on the palate with layered flavors of dark plum and blackberry fruits
with plenty of spice. Perfectly balanced with a silky smooth texture and a finish
of uncommon length and intensity spiked with juicy mineral-driven acidity.
Impressive grace and refinement and very approachable now, but will improve over the next several years. An
outrageously good wine that I could drink all night long. Still great two days later from a previously opened
bottle. This one will bring you to your knees.Score:98.
Reviewed January 20, 2014WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2008 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.3%
alc., $59.
·Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The
aromas are clean and airy, smelling of a vast meadow of damp earth and
brush, but also endowed with scents of ripe dark cherries and black
raspberry syrup. I find this nose enchanting. On the palate, the wine
offers a dark red fruit festival with a hint of baking spices showing more
body, more finish and better integrated tannins than the 2007 vintage
version. Very flavorful now but still young at heart.Reviewed October 26, 2012WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

13.0% alc., $59.
·Medium
reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of darker berries, briar and dark chocolate. Fresh, juicy and
modestly rich, offering flavors of mixed blue and black berries backed by ripe, firm tannins. Still young, and a
bit monotone now, the wine opens slowly and reluctantly in the glass. The finish, even now, is notable for its
staying power. Slightly better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, showing a
lighter character and more acidity than the 2007 vintage version. Very good.Reviewed October 26, 2012WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2008 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

13.3% alc., $59. Hyde and Wente selections, 76 and 96
clones planted to 6’ x 4’ at 1380 feet on soils with top soil over soft shale.
Yield of 1.8 tons per acre.
·Moderately light golden yellow color. Lovely
perfume of lemon curd, white stone fruits and stewed apples. Delicious
and layered, with notes of green apple, pears, brioche and toast. The
wine has a bright steeliness due to the lively acidity. A beautiful wine that packs
in plenty of flavor at modest alcohol: a win-win situation. Will age.Reviewed January 27, 2011WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2008 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $59. Heritage and suitcase selections planted to 6’ x
4’ at 1230 feet on soils with top soil over soft shale. Yields 1.04 tons per
acre.
·Moderately intense reddish-purple color in the glass. Intense and
intoxicating perfume of purple fruits, dried roses, and whole-cluster
induced spiciness. A bit reticent, but offering a glimpse of intense plum
and dark berry fruits that saturate the palate without being weighty, persisting on
the intensely fruity finish that is highlighted by exotic spices and edible flowers.
Nothing out of place. Much more open and giving two days later from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle. Still a Lolita with huge potential.Reviewed January 27, 2011WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

13.0% alc., $69. 1.5 acres, 20% slope, planted
to a Swan field blend in 6’x4’ spacing. 12”-18” topsoil over soft shale.
Yields 1 ton per acre.
·Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass.
With intense swirling, an appealing scent of mixed berry preserves,
crushed black grapes, and a hint of floral perfume emerges. The wine
offers well-endowed flavors of plum sauce and dark red raspberries,
cola and grilled meat. Rather linear now with the fruit buried in flamboyant
tannins. There is some earth and mineral infused quality to the fruit which is
appealing and I sense that this wine will perform beautifully in another five years.
The wine benefited from re-corking the bottle and sampling it the next day. A connoisseur’s wine with unlimited
potential.Reviewed May 15, 2011WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $49.
·Moderately dark reddish-purple
color in the glass. Wonderful nose replete with bright aromas of black cherries, cherry pie, spice,
vanilla, pipe smoke and an earthy goodness. Moderately rich basket of fresh black cherries wrapped in firm,
slightly astringent tannins, filling the palate with flavor, finishing long and very dry. Much more interesting and
expressive the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Patience will be rewarded.
Very good (+).Reviewed October 26, 2012WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $49.
·Moderately dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, spice and vanillin.
Richly fruited with dense but crisp flavors of ripe dark fruits nicely spiced, mineral-imbued, and caressed by
structured tannins. A silky and seductive wine that has charm. Unchanged one and two days later from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good.Reviewed January 27, 2011WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

13.5% alc., $59. From a 1.5-acre section of Alpine Vineyard
planted to a Swan field blend.
·Moderately dark reddish-purple color in
the glass. Another aromatic wonderland with scents of berry jam, spice,
and an exotic floral note. Better and better over time in the glass.
Would love to make a perfume like this. Amazingly fresh flavors of
alpine strawberries with an interesting candied and edible flower note. I
have never tasted anything quite like this in a California Pinot Noir. The wine
displays healthy tannins, but they are better integrated in this wine and nicely
balanced by the lively acidity. Filled with verve and intrigue, this is a wine to
savor. Flat-out great the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.Reviewed October 26, 2012WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $59. Clones are Hyde, Wente, 76 and 96 planted at
1380 feet elevation. Soils are 24” top soil over soft shale. Yield 1.28
tons per acre.
·Light straw color in the glass. Crisp aromas of crushed
rocks, metal shavings, flint, Asian pear and green apple. A restrained,
classic style with flavors of green apple, lemon, and flint, enlivened by a
good grip of acidity, finishing bone dry. A sophisticated and terroir-driven
Chardonnay distinct from the commonplace California fruit and oak-driven style.
Tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine
was fresh, crisp and taut. Burgundy nuts will go ga-ga over this wine.Reviewed May 15, 2011WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

Most of the wine’s
“clones” are heritage selections such as Calera, Hyde, Swan, Wente (a total of 16 different clones).
·Still
a baby with plenty of tannins to shed, but the fruit core is strikingly pure and satisfying. Richly layered,
sturdy on the palate, and possessing a suave texture.Reviewed March 23, 2008WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Rhys Vineyards Alpine Hillside Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $49. Sourced
from the steepest and lowest yielding section of Alpine Vineyard (see photo above).
·Deeply colored.
Muted aromas of dark fruits with a very appealing hint of exotic spices. Luscious broad-shouldered
fruit core with impressive intensity, backed by firm tannins and offering an amazing persistence on the
glorious finish. Similar in flavor to the regular Alpine Vineyard bottling but ramped up a notch. Drinking
great two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. An impressive effort that should
continue to evolve in years to come.Reviewed January 27, 2011WINERY&nbsp»ARTICLE&nbsp»